The United Nations Security Council has unanimously agreed on a resolution condemning India and Pakistan for conducting nuclear tests.

It urged both sides to take firm steps to avert what it called a disastrous arms race.

The resolution follows a meeting of Security Council ambassadors in New York.

Meanwhile in Delhi, the Indian Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, has welcomed Pakistan's offer of talks to ease tensions in South Asia, but said the issue of Kashmir should be kept separate.

Mr Vajpayee was responding to an offer by his Pakistani counterpart, Nawaz Sharif, to resume bilateral negotiations.

Mr Vajpayee rejected Mr Sharif's call for outside mediation to help solve their differences.